Pad



July 14, 1953 H. E. HITCHENS PAD Filed June 18, 1948 FIG. 3.

INVENTOR. HARRY E. H/TCHENS. BYW. m

ATTORNEY Patented July 14, 1953 PAD Harry E. Hitchcl s, Baltimore, Md., assignor, by direct and mesne assignments, offifty per cent to John Elmer Berl, Baltimore, Md.

. Application June 18, 1948, Serial No. 33,750 x This invention relates to pads and the method of producing same, and more particularly to pads used by hospitals, pressing machines and the like.

The conventional pad is made withloose or raw cotton batting as a filler, and requires considerable cross stitching to hold it within its cover. The stitching is usually under considerable strain in preventing the cotton from shifting and breaks readily during washing. The cotton forms lumps within its covers, even before the stitch breaks, causing the pad to be discarded.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved pad that will avoid one or more of the disadvantages and limitations of the prior art.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved pad that will be made of woven material and retain all the advantages and comfort derived from those of the conventional type using loose cotton or the like for filling.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved pad that will be made preferably of double faced cotton canton fiannel and retain all the advantages and comfort derived from those of the conventional type using loose cotton or the like for filling.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a new and improved pad that will have a filling so arranged within it that positive assurance is given that the filling will not creep, lump up or lose its resiliency, and will retain its shape and comfort giving qualities for an indefinite period.

Other objects will become apparent as the invention is more fully set forth.

For a clearer understanding of the invention, reference is made to theappended drawings and the following description. These together, illustrate a particular form of the invention, by way of example, and point out its principles in the appended claims.

In order to particularly emphasize the extent of the invention reference is made to the claims included with this description.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a pad embodying this invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view showing thestructure of the pad in detail taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1, and

Figure 3 is a modified form of the pad.

Similar reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the drawings.

Referring particularly to Figure 1, a pad con- '3'Claims. (ore-354) sists of outer coverings l0 and [Z of suitable fabric, such ,as ticking, muslin, or other cotton material. Inside the covering is a single layer of material such as doubled faced cotton canton flannel orfelted matll. This material has a series of warp threads or cords 25 running in one direction while woof threads or cords 26 run in the opposite direction. The woof threads or cords are substantially thicker than the warp threads so that they may be subjected to a fuzzing process, such as is common in the art of producing so called double faced fabrics, to raise the tufting or fuzz generally indicated at 21 out of the outer periphery of these threads or cords on both faces thereof. The result is a closely woven, strong, yet flexible, piece of material with a soft and spongy appearance. The covering I0 is positioned on one side of the mat, while the covering I2 is positioned on the opposite side, with their edges l3 aligned with the edges IA of the mat. The edges of the coverings l0 and 12 are bound over with a tape IQ of stronger fabric material preferably, which tape is folded all along the edges of the mat and its folded sides are sewed on through the adjacent edge portions of the intermediate layer and coverings as shown by stitch lines 28 in Figure 2. The tape 19 is bent around the edges as indicated to prevent the exposure of the mat, as well as reinforce the edges of the coverings, The intermediate layer and coverings are then sewed through from one corner to the opposite as shown at 15 and then with a right angle sewing at the middle of the pad as indicated at 16. Where the pad requires it or is of larger size than usual, it is considered preferable to divide the area into smaller rectangles, as

shown in Figure 3, and sew it across the rectangles, as at I! and [8. This sewing is similar to that used in the first instance, somewhatlike the lines of the union-jack flag, except that the rectangles are double or more, instead of. one as shown in Figure 1.

The pad formed in this manner has been found to withstand long and severe usage without creeping, lumping up or loss of resiliency. It prevents the mat material from disintegrating and curling as is common in other types of pads and retains its form substantially without change, The method of making the pad is simple and inexpensive without losing its effectiveness and cushioning qualities. It is more efficient than the con ventional forms that require buttons, or tufting, and-it is light and easily handled,

While but two general forms of the invention are shown in the drawings and described in the 3 specifications, it is not desired to limit this application for patent to these particular forms, as it is appreciated that other forms could be made that would use the same principles and come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. A pad comprising an intermediate woven layer, a pair of opposed covering extending one on each side of the intermediate layer and having its edges co-extensive with those of the layer, a tape folded about and having its folds covering the meeting edges of said layer and covering, and stitching securing the folds of the tape together across said coverings and intermediate layer.

2. A pad as set forth in claim 1, including stitching extending through the coverings and layer along the medial axis of the pad, and stitching extending through the coverings and layer at right angles to said first line of stitching. 3. A pad as set forth in claim 1, including stitching along the medial axis of the pad, stitching along a, plurality of lines at right angles to the first line of stitching and stitching along diagonal lines, all lines of stitching having a series of common meeting points and said stitching extending through said coverings-and layer.

HARRY E. KITCHENS.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,222,782 Moses Nov. 26, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 360,066 Great Britain Nov. 5, 1931 

